Heart palpitations. Don’t these two words make you shudder with anxiety?
Well, maybe the words don’t, but the sensations caused by heart palpitations certainly do scare people.
In fact, it’s the main topic of emails that I get from people who contact me with questions.
And given that this anxiety symptom is so common among anxiety sufferers, I thought it would be helpful to do a “how to” article on palpitations.
First, a few basics. A heart palpitation is an abnormal beating of the heart AND your heightened awareness of your heart beat. Palpitations can cause your heart to beat fast (tachycardia), slow (bradycardia), flutter, or to even have ‘skipped’ heart beats (PVCs).
Heart palpitations can be caused by electrolyte imbalances, adrenaline, anemia, heart disease, arrhythmias, hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), and of course, anxiety disorders. There are more causes, but the ones listed are common.
Now, because heart disease could be involved, it’s always a good idea to see your doctor if you’re experiencing new or ongoing heart palpitations.
No need for fear, this is mainly a precaution to safeguard your health and your sanity. When you go to your doctor he/she will run an ECG and take some blood. If the results come back negative, then you can start your efforts to stop your heart palpitations without having to worry about having a heart attack.
How Palpitations Work
When related to anxiety, heart palpitations are triggered by the fight or flight response. If you’ve had problems with anxiety for any length of time then I highly recommend that you get acquainted with this term.
This is because the fight or flight response is the source of much of your misery, and a detailed understanding of it can help you to reduce stress. Because with knowledge comes less guess-work, more facts, and less anxiety.
So then, the fight of flight response is essentially your sympathetic nervous system gone wild. When you become scared, nervous, and worried, your brain will trigger a fear response, which, in turn, causes your body to undergo a few changes, like:
- Palpitations
- Cold/Hot flashes
- Dilated pupils
- Urge to urinate
- Diarrhea
- Tunnel vision
- Muscle tension
It’s also important to point out that palpitations are almost always accompanied by anxiety and panic.
Part of what also happens when the fight or flight response is triggered is that the brain signals the body to release stress hormones, like adrenaline and cortisol, in preparation for violent action. But, in your case, there is no action to be taken.
The adrenaline and cortisol however still get injected into your bloodstream, where it acts on the nerves of the heart and causes palpitations. So, in most cases, it’s adrenaline causing all the havoc but, there could also be other causes.
One such cause is electrolyte imbalance. Electrolytes are electrically charged ions. They include elements like: sodium, potassium, chloride, calcium, sulfate, phosphate, bicarbonate, and magnesium.
These elements are important in maintaining proper voltage levels in the body, and are also critical to muscle function. The heart, as we all know, is a big muscle. If these electrolytes become imbalanced then palpitations can occur.
This is because electricity and contraction are what makes your heart beat and keep a rhythm. If there is a disruption in the electrical impulse, or the contraction of your heart muscle, then you get things like a fast, slow, or weak heart beats.
How to Stop Heart Palpitations
There are several ways to stop palpitations. If you’ve been cleared of heart disease by your doctor the following techniques can be effective.
1. Balancing electrolytes: When it comes to matters of the heart, the four most important electrolytes are potassium, calcium, sodium, and magnesium. If any of these electrolytes become too high or too low then palpitations may result.
A simple blood or urine test will tell your doctor if this is the case. If you have excessive/deficient levels of electrolytes then you can speak with your doctor about how to bring them back into balance.
In general, this would mean taking supplemental vitamins or increasing/decreasing the consumption of certain foods.
List of foods rich in the four major electrolytes include:
Potassium – See full list here.
- Bananas
- Apples
- Milk
- Orange Juice
- Potatoes
- Raisins
- Wheat bread
Calcium – See full list here.
- Dairy Products
- Almonds
- Beans
- Tofu
- humus
- Vegetables
- Fruits
- Oatmeal
Sodium – See full list here.
- Meats
- Dairy products
- Frozen foods
- Snack foods
- Canned food
- Spices
Magnesium – See full list here.
- Nuts
- Cooked soybeans
- Peanut butter
- Yogurt
- Milk
2. Diet: Diet is an important part of any anti-palpitation strategy. Here are a few more examples.
Foods that you want to eat more often would include:
- Grapes
- Guava
- Honey
- Fresh fruit and Vegetables
- Whole wheat foods
Foods and activities that you should try to avoid include:
- Foods that contain caffeine like chocolate, soft drinks, etc.
- Sugar
- Alcohol
- Smoking
3. Hydration: Water is a fundamental part of what you are. If you don’t drink enough water then even mild dehydration can create palpitations. You don’t need to go overboard and start walking around with a gallon of water, either. Many of the foods you eat already have water in them, but it’s still a good idea to drink about 5-8 8 oz cups per day.
4. Medication: You may also want to talk to your doctor about medications. Doctors will usually prescribe beta blockers, which block the effects of adrenaline on the body. This would be a good option after experiencing palpitations for a prolonged period of time.
5. Valsalva Maneuver: This technique can be used to stop a fast heart beat. First, pinch your nose and close your mouth. Next, breath out forcibly. The idea is to strain as if you were trying to defecate while holding your breath. This will cause a quick spike in heart rate, followed by a slowing of the heart rate. If you have heart disease, or are advanced in age, please do not try this maneuver.
6. Coughing: Coughing vigorously causes pressure to build in your chest, which “squeezes” your heart back into a normal rhythm. This is not a preventative measure, so do it when you’re actually having a palpitation.
7. Cold Water: Splash cold water on your face. This technique works well for palpitations and panic attacks. The idea behind this is that the cold water shocks your nervous system back to normal. The water should be as cold as possible.
8. Relax: Palpitations can strike at anytime, even while you sleep. As a result, they tend to startle you and make you feel as if you’re going to die at any moment.
This is why it’s important to not rush around in a panic, thereby adding stress to your racing heart. It’s best to have a seat, breath deeply from your stomach, and chill out for a moment.
9. Exercise: Exercise might sound like the opposite of what you want to do when you know that palpitations can occur. But after a good workout your blood pressure and heart rate will generally decrease.
This is why it’s not unusual for highly conditioned athletes – like Lance Armstrong – to have very low resting heart rates. A normal resting heart rate is between 70-80 beats per minute. People that have conditioned bodies, on the other hand, can get their heart rates down in the 50’s or lower.
Let’s not forget that the heart is a muscle, and if it is worked, it will get stronger and more efficient and what it does. So despite the apparent contradiction, exercise is a great way to cope with palpitations absent any heart disease.
Caution: If your palpitations are accompanied by dizziness, blurred vision, chest pain or shortness of breath, then it could be something more serious. The unfortunate reality is that panic attacks and intense anxiety can mimic symptoms of a heart attack.
One of the tell-tale signs of something serious is severity and duration. If you have chest pain or the like continuously for more than a few minutes, and if the pain is severe, you likely have a problem. Always err on the side of caution though and get checked out if you’re just not sure.
If, on the other hand, you’ve already been screened for heart disease and nothing was found, wait. Be patient and wait about ten minutes and the symptoms will usually die down on their own.
I know that heart palpitations can be frightening, but they are usually not dangerous. That’s why I encourage you to see your doctor if you haven’t already. Because once you’re cleared medically, you will have the confidence needed to cope with the fear tied to palpitations.
Understand that heart palpitations are a very normal part of having an anxiety disorder and stress in general. When they happen don’t over think things and start jumping to conclusions. Instead, try some of the techniques outlined above and try the best you can to not shock yourself with fear. I hope this helps.
Hey , Dan I so wish I knew u in person. Last few weeks I been palpataions terribly . Ekgs first four were normal echo was normAl . Then they came all the time over and over ever few minutes . Cardiologist swears its panic disorder. He said te see PVC but its not a heart issue. I guess they can tell. I am stressed
But how can I feel like this everyday. Tr palps scare me. I am calling dr all the time . Can’t do beta blockers my Bp isn’t that bad. Every time I call in panic he tells me on start a anti anxiety pill lexapro. I think maybe they are missing something . I get short of breath from worry al day long. I’m taking 1 mg of xanex a day but it doesn’t help . I’m scared making my self crazy and everyone around me. I get dry mouth palpatations dizziness.m ears ring. Please help I am losing my mind
They wouldn’t really be on the site if they wern’t having palpitations so the vote here is a little biased lol
I get these palpitations whenever I am in class, or part of an audience, like being in a cinema or an assembly. I don’t get them at all if I’m not in an audience position – yet once the door closes and the lessons start they suddenly hit me, and I’m left sitting there for up 2 hours with a racing heart, as well as feeling slightly sick. I always take a bottle of water with me now to stay hydrated, but I’m so nervous about going into any lesson. I’m starting my second year of colledge soon, and I hate the idea of having to put up with them everyday for 8 months.
HELP
Does anyone Have body weakness and lack of energy with anxiety or benzo withdrawal now it’s hard for to exercise can anxiety weaken your humine system for life please a short answer will help
Yep, push yourself to excersice that what I’m doing I have cardio phobia and I’m still going gym pushing myself just to beleive my heart is ok
Or hypercondriac
I’m overweight and wake up especially during pms, in the middle of the night with my heart racing. It is soooo depressing to wake up my husband and family with “honey, I can’t breathe, I’m dying”. And for the last 2 years, he has been getting up, comforting me, getting me meds, calling the ambulance….whatever he needs to do. I notice that it is worse when I gain weight, and gets better as I lose. I’m going to make a Dr appt to check on my thyroid. All I want to do is have a greater quality of life without feeling like I’m not going to make it to next year. I’m so over going though this all the time! Does anyone else have hormonal changes that my trigger the onset of pvc’s/palps? Im actively trying to get pregnant, but I’m so afraid that it might make things worse. I started new vitamins and see that they have traces of green tea in them. I wonder if its too much for me to be taking….uggghhhh!!!!
Want to stop a lot of your palpitations, besides Beta Blockers which definetely work but like the young man in college get yourself CALCIUM MAGNESIUM & POTASIUM I USE MEGA FOODS, It stopped 80% of my palmpitations the only reason I recommend rhis brand as it is made from WHOLE FOODS …Sometimes it is an Electrolyte problem or the electrical impulses your heart needs are deprived of these nutrients we don’t get in foods, because of our poor diets, soil etc. Try it, you have nothing to lose.
Does anyone get really bad heart palpatations when traveling like long road trips or when driving up high elevations mountains? Do you get heart palpatation walking up the stairs or walking up hill? Does anyone get bad heart palpatation before menstral period or their first day of it? I wanna know if there are others out there exactly like me. I get all of these and it’s not like a simple thud when it happens its a really bad heart palpatation that sometimes takes my breath away and gives me a panic! Please everyone who has the same thing as I do let me know so I can focus again. Thank you
Many of you have the same symptoms that people with mitral valve prolapse syndrome have. We suggest you stop all caffeine, lower your sugar intake, drink at lesat 64 ounces of fluid everyday, no alcohol, exercise, just walking is fine for a start.
Bonnie
Hey everybody, It’s kind of nice to see that I am not alone in this dilemma! I am 22 years old very fit, I am actually a natural bodybuilder competitor. I how ever suffer from crazy anxiety and a racing heart rate almost daily…And like everyone else I took a trip to the E.R had an Ekg’s done which came back normal, blood work normal and had a head CT scan which also came back normal, 24 hour holter normal. That helped me for a bit but then everything all came back a short time later…Racing heart rate, tunnel vision, numbness in my head, hot flashes etc Iv experienced it all…My mom works in a Cardiologist department, so whenever I have these symptoms I have her take my vitals and sometimes Ekg’s which is nice…And every time im reassured that I am fine I just have anxiety.
Well today I had an ongoing anxiety attack pretty much all day long while I was at work…My heart rate was above 100 pretty much the entire day and every time I would think about it, it would go even higher. Then too boot when I got back to the shop, I checked my BP on the machine we have (bad idea) and it was like 140 something over 100! With a heart rate of 112 WHAT! if that doesn’t make you freak out I don’t know what will! So needless to say I have this ongoing anxiety that I’m going to have a stroke or just go into cardiac arrest and die. After work I went to my moms office and she took my vitals herself which I my heart rate was at 98 at that time and my BP was 130/80…I dont understand why my blood pressure fluctuates so much, the other day It was 117/70…I’m so fed up with anxiety and my racing heart…One thing that helps which is kind of funny is when ever its really bad I just tell myself (bring it on, I dont give a shit what happens!) haha and it actually works kinda…anyways I’m so sick of the adrenaline all day long with the rapid heart rate, and me thinking that everything is wrong with me!
GOD BLESS EVERYONE!
Hi kosko that happen to me to I use to be fit workout everyday now I cant why because I was taking shotgun, superpump250 all these pre workout supplements you see out there are very dangerous I have the same thing youve been through now I do a lot to my doctor and er all my test result came back fine no heart condition they said its anxiety or panic attack give me drug benzo like Xanax valium now I’m going through withdrawal, of benzo make me feel worst so stop taking any pre workout suprement pls these things can kill plus the caffein on it can create the anxiety now you ganna have a sensitive body don’t those benZo pills either they make you feel worst. Let me know how you feel so I cool help with anything kosko I’ve been there it’s not fun at all do you go back to the gym
You not ganna die it takes times for your body to recovery you ganna ok kosko let if any changes pls I know how you feel specialy if you don’t have the support you need
You not ganna die it takes times for your body to recovery you ganna ok kosko let if any changes pls
I like this website, it gives me comfort. My new doc suggested my palps have always been there, I’m just feeling them more. Meadow Muffins! So I got a script for Xanax which may/may not help. My old doc, she just looked at me and said: Well they won’t kill you. Hey, this means my heart is not working as designed. Thank you everyone for you posts.
Hi all,
It’s been very reassuring reading these comments. I have had palpitations since the age of 16. It all came to head with me at the age of 25 when I was having palipations constantly. I went to a doctor who said i was fine and then said I had mytro valve prolapse and really high blood pressure. I went to see one of the best cardiologist’s in NYC and he told me I wa fine after just listening to my heart. He schedule a stress test for my own confidence that I wouldn’t die from a heart attack. A few months later he did a echocardiogram and said my heart was completley normal (even though I had a inter mittent click) Even with all the test i was still feeling terrible and top of that I was, at the same time, having trouble breathing (the sensation of not getting enough air or completing the breath)was tested for that and was ok. But from the age of 25 to 30 I was still suffering from the palpitaions and breathing difficulties and to afraid to go back to the doctor because I knew he mis-diagnosed me and that if were to go back he would find something wrong. I was always active and lifted weights. I was depressed and despondent for those 5 years always waiting to die from a heart attack.I finally went back after 5 years to the same cardiologist and almost passed out in his office i was so scared. He gave me a paper bag to breath in and listen to my heart and said we needed to talk. He gave me the name of a psychatrist, to my shock and some Xanax. After taking the Xanax I felt so calm, a feeling I hadn’t had in 5 years.
I am 45 now and have been seeing the psychatrist and taking prozac for my palpitations and breathing issues (anxiety) for the past 15 years. I have had good stretches and bad stetches. I am in the middle of a bad stretch at the moment. I get really disappointed in myself for not realizing that its all my anxiety and not my heart but its hard to think your ok and that you can go to the gym without fear of dying when you feel that way that we do.
It’s been a comfort to read these posts and to realize that I’m not alone. My heart(no pun intended) goes out to everyone on this site who suffers from palpitaions because I understand the kind of hell it is and can be. It is my sincerest wish that everyone here feels better and that we can all find relief and peace.
god bless
Bernard
Everyone who exercises 4x a week with heart palpitations…. Does the heart palp affect you or do you push yourself to workout and get the cardio and muscle strength in even though you are affected by the heart palp? I would like to get feedback from everyone because I just started working out I’m only 33yrs 155lbs and 5’3 and I’d really like to lose 30lbs…please let me know because I really don’t want to stop working out. Day 2 today for 40min and felt palp after, I did get scared but I would love to continue. Please any feedback would be great. Thanks
If you have been cleared by you doctor, (no findings of any heart disease) go ahead and exercise. Drinking tons of water and Gatorade before, during, and after exercise will help. Many times moving around will get your heart back to a normal beat.
Hi Doreen,
I agree completely with Bonnie. Keep working out. My doctor tells me to do some treadmill first (cardio) before lifting to help with the palp’s.
So much of this is confidence you can exercise without fear of having a heart attack. I’ve had my ups and downs these past 15 years. Right now I’m having a rough patch where I haven’t gone to lift weights so I’ve tried to just walk alot for now until I feel my confidence come back
best of luck Doreen
I just want to thank you for all your comments, I thought I was going crazy only to find out that they are several people have heart palpitations. Mine started like a month ago. In a period of two weeks I had been to the ER 3times. I was sure something was wrong but all results came negative except that I’m anemic and that is what is causing a stain on my heart.
I must say that your comments comforted me knowing that the palpitations arent my imaginations. Thank you all and truly hope you all get better.
Hi guys ive been going thru this 3wks. And its so hard for me. The palps,feelin like I cnt breath the fear of dying thinkin im hving a heart attack. Restless nights. Ive had ekg done a heart monitor for 14days and nothings wrong with my heart.
I have been having PVC’s for about two years now! I have had a Nuclear Stress Test, EKG’s, Echo and 48 heart monitor. The Cardiologists states that they are benign! I get so scared still! I hate them! I really am glad to find sites like this it really helps knowing that I am not alone! I just sometimes feel like how can this be normal! I just wish I could handle stress. I have Generalized Anxiety Disorder. Take Toprol for the ectopic beats, Ativan for stress. I really wish I was normal
Hello All,
Ok so THANK YOU for your posts – they really do help. Let me tell you a little about my situation. For 3 years I had been drinking 3 bottles of 5 hour enery shots a day. YES, I know – not wise!! But I did feel great while on them! 🙂 So anyhow, come Jan 7th of this year I started feeling weird after dinner, my chest felt flushed and felt like I was really anxious – went to hospital had EKG, labs and chest xray done – nothing was wrong sent me home. Couple days later back in the ER same thing – but here’s the kicker – my heart rate went up to 164 the first time and 140 the second time – kept me overnight – did echo and EKG still found nothing. Had another episode and a cardiologist had me wearing a heart monitor for 30 days and tested my urine – well 3 days into it – I ended up in ER again – this time they did a stress test and angiogram – this cardiologist said that I had microvascular angina and put me on a crap load of meds which for 2 months felt like it was literally killing me. I went for a second opinion and he told me no I do not have a heart disease and slowly took me off all the meds. I was feeling great other than having palpatations several times a day – 40-50 I guess I would say. Well last week I had another episode driving in to work where my heart went up to 164 again. Pulled over and called 911. Once again my EKG and xrays come back normal. I am now on a beta blocker again and Xanax 1mg. Seems to be helping but I still have palps while on these meds – certainly not as many but def still have them. So here are my symptoms – someone please tell me you are or have dealt with exactly the same things:
constant 24/7 ringing in the ears
constant pressure in front of the ears
feeling like both sides of your jaws are being stretched
eyes hurt
occasional rapid heart
several palps a day
face gets extremely hot – burning
headaches
pressure in the chest
Please help!!
I actually have an appt with a electrophysiologist next week in the big city. Am I just waisting my time????
Thanks!
Let me say that when I say rapid heart I mean about 100 a day but then up to 164 at times for no apparent reason!
Hi, I have been experiencing palpitations for years, and they scare the heck out of me. Sometimes mine can last for over 40 mins, sometimes less. I almost pass out (black out) when they stop. I have been checked, EKG’s, and wore a heart monitor for 24 hours, they say my heart is strong. This time scared me though, my hands looked red, and my fingers tingled. It did stop once I made myself relax, and I sometimes out of the blue stand up quickly and they stop, and I pray, please god make them stop, please don’t let me die, not yet. I hate them. I wish I didn’t have them. I am afraid I am gonna die each time. I do smoke, and drink lots of coffee, so I know what I gotta do, drink only 2 cups of caff coffee a day, and slow down on smoking. They are my only 2 bad habits. Wish me luck, cause I am gonna need it.
Hi Tina Johnson
I’ve had most of your symptons over the years. At its worse was 20 years ago when I was 25. I did all the checks/test as you and hada clean bill of heart health from a top cardiologist in NYC. I still didnt feel better and after suffering in silence for 5 years I finally had the courage to go back to that cardiologist.Again, I was fine.
He told me to go see a psychiatrist. I have been seeing one off and on for the past 15 years. Its been a great result for me as far as learning how my emotional state has direct impact on my health. I also take prosac to take the edge off and it really helps me to get past the worst episodes. People like us are just sensitive to our emotional state and we take it out on our health.
I would give it a try, you only have your anxiety to lose.
good luck Tina
Thanks Bernard I appreciate that!!
Did you heart rate also go up as high as mine? Do you think those are just severe panick attacks of some sort? I mean this last one was clearly out of the blue – just driving into work and boom there it went!
Hi Tina,
I’ve had a racing heart earlier in my anxiety history. That never bothered me as much as the palp’s, I absolutely hate them. I think the fact that these attacks come out of no where makes us fear them because we have no way of knowing controlling our environment to prevent them, its just so damned arbitrary!! For me my episodes usually came AFTER the stress/pressure situation was over.
I’ve learn to realize the gradual accumulation of stress and try to get out of that stressful situation. Sometimes it just catches up to me and then I need the help of my therapist and the prozac to stop the downward cycle of fear and depression.
I guess my palps are benign. My doc doesn’t seem nearly as worried as I am. Upped my Zoloft script to address any unknown stress issues. Has anyone tried meditation or breathing exercises? I have a hundred or so every time I lay/sit down and do something. Bleeping scary!
The cause of palpitations are owing to anxiety which is deep and sublimnal. There are trigger factors for palps which each person in his life needs to analyse by checklisting them. I dont want to include the routines of family and social stressors
1. Caffeine, energy drinks containing caffeine, tablets, tea, coke, chocos.
2. Overworkouts, weights training is anaerobic and can cause anxiety disorders like what i faced.
3. Masturbation. (Not joking, there is something toxic about it, there are people who have ended up in the ER after an episode)
4. Food allergies; oats
5. Medication
6. Sex. Pls research the term post coital anxiety syndrome. Again people have reached out to the ER post coital.
7. City living is worse than rural living where there is more fresh air and less of space clutter. Space clutter afflicts one sublimnaly and stale air affects your brain physiologically.
Just when you are having an episode, dont overthing medically which is called as the medical school syndrome, dont google it either, you will feel dizzy. Just blank your mind and concentrate on your breathing.
SORRY THE LAST PARA SHOULD READ OVERTHINK MEDICALLY.
Kenyanscorp what does sex mast. Have to do with anxiety or heart palpitation can you be a lil more expressive pls?
hey my name is Joe 21, I take Nadolol 40ml for my heart skipping and my anxiety, but i still get anxiety and my heart still skips but he says its normal but i still freak and worry.. ugh
I also suffer from Palps and tachycardia(fast heart beat) it is terrifying I’ve had my heart rate do as high as 146 beats per minute due to a panic attack the drs made it worse cause they was rushing around like I was dying and wouldn’t listen to me telling them it was a panic attack. Also my panic attacks come on so fast and strong sometimes that I look like a junky trying to open my bottle of xanax. I have tried breathing exercises and getting up to do things while I’m having an attack but nothing seems to help it go away. The drs say my heart is fine I’ve had echocardiograms done along with a stress test but I dont feel like I’m fine my heart shakes sometimes and scares the hell out of me. They said I have palpitations, tachycardia, and an arrhythmia. I also have a heart murmur. any positive feed back would be grateful. I also picked up a habit from having panick attacks I am currently addicted to percocet because it seems to keep my anxiety away and also helps with depression I was on depression meds to help with anxiety but it was making it worse I was having multiple attacks a day. I want to stop taking the percocet but I’m scared I’ve never done drugs in my life and this isn’t me to have a habit I’m a 28 year old female who wants her life back. I do not abuse my xanax I take that only when needed and I only take up to 5 or 6 percocets a day. I’m in school to be a medical assistant so I’m not looking for someone to lecture me in looking for someone who can relate to me or have any advise and help me through my withdrawal process from the perks and all the anxiety to follow. My friends and family do not understand cause they do not suffer from anxiety or panic attacks please give me advice. Thank you all so much.
Sammy, the biochemical details are something that baffles me as well, i am talking from other’s experience.
Jackie, psyche drugs might have a rebound effect on the hypertension and tachycardia. Arrhythmia and palps are the same, tachy is a faster version and brady a slower version.
Talk to a psyche and slowly wean off the percocet. Even a single minute dose of betaloc wrecked havoc on me.
Pls review your lifestyle, food and drugs. Social stressors of work, family and relations can be contributing too. Repressed anger too can cause anxiety.
As paul had written elsewhere, pls take magnesium and vitamin Bcomplex with C and A you will find a remarkable difference. For anxiety sufferers even a small shot of coffee or alcohol can send them in a tizzy, be abstinent of caffeine in any form.
Hope this helps.
Pls do research on porn induced anxiety. Porn assisted masturbation is a chief cause of anxiety. Flipping through porn on a regular basis causes addiction and can lead to various issues. Anxiety is one such. Though porn is Seemingly harmless the biochemical basis is suggestive of future anxiety disorders.
Kenyanscorp thx FYI Ive been throught anxiety now I dnt know if it withdrawal of benzo or still anxiety
Keep us posted on your changes
I suggest better do a research on the side effects of antihypertensives or pyschotic meds also the time it takes for you to fully recuperate from the side effects. Meeting people in forums will give you the facts. Docs dont mention the side effects of any of these drugs, they just prescribe it like mad.
Hi Joe if you have check your heart the said is fine don’t worry yourself to much about it try to exercise even a walk for 15mn is good
HI joe
i am the same age with the same problems my heart is good too but that doesn’t stop my anxiaty my doc has givern me prozac which does not help much just makes me feel sick, so depressing when we are so young but feel soo old do to this condition, just found out 5o percent of my family have the same issues as me plus poor circulation my cousin died from blood clots in his legs which went to his lungs, which is kinda realated to my issues sooooo scarey 🙁
IF MOST OF U would try Wholefood vitamin like Megafoods Calcium.Mag n Potassium. A lotof your palpitations go down 75% . I have no connection with this company any high quality supplements along with the diet above sud help a whole lot unless yr doing things that aggravate it like caffeine or smoking or energy drinks Good Luck I Uv had them for 40 years so I doknow whatI m talking abut so try it!!!!!!!!!!
Hi i am 21 years young and i have heart palpitation and its scary i have anxiety tho and i got anxiety from takin celexa and other meds related to that and i havent been right i went to doctors they tell me theres nothing wrong with me so i live with my heart fluttering i know ima die soon so i dont stress it im just scared i wish i would go away……
Andrea, I’m a lot older than you. My palps started about a year ago after I switched anti-depressants. When I’m sitting still/lying down, they’re there. Had 3 cardio monitoring tests done: supposedly, nothing is wrong. Hang in there, sweetie. Mine are likely anxiety related, though I don’t have any overt anxiety now, other than worrying about these damn things. Let us all know how you’re doing, please.
Andrea you ganna be fine change your thoughts pls you ok nothing’s try the linden method it really help
Ok guys here’s something that I’ve notice in the past 3 weeks…. After having palpitations since 2006 and anxiety since 2011 I’ve notice ever since I been working out for te past 3 weeks my palpitations have almost gone and if I do notice it, it doesn’t scare me at all.. I think the key is exercise? I’m not 100% sure but I pushed through my palp when I would get them during an exercise…here’s the problem I’m havin though… Anxiety! Of course right? My palps nearly gone but since I’m working out so much my adrenaline is pumping and giving me anxiety like I can’t breath… Anyone ever been in this situation before?
Doreen,
Exercise is the key but it should be a balance of cardio and light weights and moderate training for 30-45 minutes of 3-4 times a week with every alternate day off. I learnt it the hard way after 6 plus years of heavy weights training.
Plus when it comes to diet you need to discipline yourself to saintly extent. For instance no alchohol, fizzies, chocos or coffee. A good healthy veg diet works best.
Take supplements to balance the ones you have lost like Mg K etc.
Hi, i have had many heart operations since birth as i have valve/aorta problems. However about 2 years ago i was at work working normally when all of a sudden BANG! my heart sped up so much i thought it was going to come out my chest, i honestly thought i was going to die right there and then, it was the most scariest thing in my life. Anyway work called an ambulance and i went to hospital and stayed in their for a week having many tests. The doctors could explain it and said whatever it was it wasnt related to my heart problems.So they put me on a small dose of beta blocker 2.5mg daily which i have every morning, and i can honestly say since ive took them i have never even come close to having another attack, theyre amazing ! they are that good that once you have taken the tabelt you instantly feel better in yourself anyway, and sometimes im not even aware of my heart even beating they work that well. Anyway thought this might help some of you guys.
cheers
James
x
thankyou paul for this article, it has been most helpfull, the whole site is fab it is such a relief to read about all the different aniety issues it makes me feel normal, thanks again, keep up the great work
Reading all the comments always seem to lessen my palps.
Mine started in 2005 of and on and began again last week and continue through each day–even when lying down. Better when I’m busy, but still there. I’ve worn a heart monitor three times (as recently as 12 months ago) so I know there is nothing wrong with my heart, but it’s still disconcerting. I’m a 65 year old female who is way past menopause, but still wonder if hormones play any part in this madness. Thanks for all who write. We can all hang in here together
Hi,
I,ve always had the odd heart skipping a beat (or two), or palpitations.
But when my brother died, I experienced my first panic attack. I just woke up one night for no reason, didn’t feel bad, just felt something was going to happen.
Then my heart started beating fast (so fast I couldn’t count the beats), then I got short of breath and my legs tuned to jelly when I stood up.
When most of these symptoms passed I returned to bed, that’s when the shaking and cold sweats started….very scary.
I went to hospital thinking It was some sort of heart attack without pain and after being checked over, they diagnosed it as a panic attack due to the stress of bereavement.
The only way I could get through these attacks was to just relax on the sofa and just let it all just wash over me. The panic will pass and my heart rate (after peaking) would return to normal(ish)….or go make a warm drink and watch TV, to take my mind off it all.
I still get the rare mild panic attack, even when driving (or at the dentist), but I just try to slow my breathing and think about something else, let the attack pass…..it always does and you won’t die!
HI.. louise, was your cousin on any kind of medication for his condition? when i was 16 i hot hospitalized for my condition my heart was going 216 bpm. that was the craziest thing ever. but it was do to having 16 + caffeinated soda pop with in two hours.
Beta blockers need to be weaned off, never never stop cold turkey, it will create rebound tachycardia which some of the docs themeselves arent aware of. These are merely symptom cure drugs, they dont cure the cause.
The best way to cure anxiety that i have seen is lifestyle, diet and attitude changes and this takes a lot of research of what does or does not suit you.
Once the above is taken into control you are likely to find that the disorder is cured in approximately 6 months, albeit you might have some rare spikes of one of the several symptoms of anxiety.
Dont keep checking your pulse or heart rate every now and then with the hopes that it will come down. The chances are it most likely will go up. Dont take the pulse for more than 20 secs. In clinical settings the BP goes up for anxiety sufferers due to the white coat effect. Taking your pulse and HR frequently will trigger the white coat effect and this will breed more anxiety.
Anxiety disorder is like watching a horror movie you just anticipate when the next poltergeist is going to strike. For instance a person has been free of health anxiety. In a social discussion someone discusses something related to the heart. The chances are that the cured person is likely to go into a tizzy and relieve his anxiety.
Sorry the last line should read relive his anxiety.
I suffer from anxiety and panic attacks I know what it feels like when they are coming in but lately when I get out of bed or stand up my heart races like crazy and I can’t Breath I feel like my heart is going to burst does that sound like anxiety? Also it last all day sometimes im only at ease when im not up moving around I have two little kids to care for I can’t be confined to a couch all day. Also my xanax does not help my heart rate during these episodes. Any suggestions on meds that might help please let me know and if any one else ever feels like this.